Eviction in Bell County (Killeen/Temple), Texas
Where eviction cases are filed in Bell County (Killeen/Temple), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Bell County (Killeen/Temple)
- Eviction court
- Bell County Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-4) — Justice of the Peace court Court page
- Filing fee
- $154 for the first defendant ($54 filing + $100 service); $25 each additional defendant on the same cause; writ of possession $180 ($5 + $175 service for first 2 hours) Bell County JP Precinct 4, Place 2 - Evictions
- Notice before filing (state law)
- At least 3 days' written notice to vacate before filing, unless the written lease provides a shorter or longer period. For a tenant evicted solely for nonpayment who was not delinquent before the month of the notice, the notice must be a notice to pay rent or vacate. Texas rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,233/month HUD
- Renter households
- 61,887 (44% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in Bell County (Killeen/Temple)
Eviction cases in Bell County (Killeen/Temple) are heard by the Bell County Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-4) (Justice of the Peace court).
Court eviction page · Search court records
The suit must be filed in the precinct where the property is located (county JP precinct map: https://bellcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=85ba52bf8313408f899353a7e6d670a9). JP 4-2 hearings may be in person, by telephone, or by video conference.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Bell County (Killeen/Temple)
$154 for the first defendant ($54 filing + $100 service); $25 each additional defendant on the same cause; writ of possession $180 ($5 + $175 service for first 2 hours)
Fees subject to change without notice. Writ service beyond 2 hours is $40/hour/deputy. The court provides a form for parties who cannot afford court costs or an appeal bond.
Source: Bell County JP Precinct 4, Place 2 - Evictions
How eviction cases work locally
| Remote hearings (JP 4-2) | Hearings may be held in person, by telephone, or by video conference. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Payment (JP 4-2) | Cashier's check, money order, cash, or card (convenience fee); no personal checks. Source: Official source |
The Texas eviction process
Texas state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Bell County (Killeen/Temple):
- Written notice to vacate (at least 3 days unless lease says otherwise; pay-or-vacate form for first-time nonpayment) delivered by a method in Sec. 24.005(f-3)
- File sworn petition in justice court; landlord may include a sworn motion for summary disposition (Sec. 24.00505, 24.005106)
- Sheriff/constable must make a diligent effort to serve citation within 5 business days of filing; otherwise landlord may use another trained officer (Sec. 24.0051(f))
- Tenant may file a response to a summary disposition motion no later than the 4th day after service; trial is set 10-21 days after filing and not earlier than 4 days after service (Sec. 24.0051(g), 24.005106)
- Judgment; appeal to county court by bond, cash deposit, or statement of inability within 5 days after judgment is signed (Sec. 24.005107)
- Writ of possession may not issue before the 6th day after judgment (absent possession bond); officer serves it within 5 business days, posts a 24-hour warning, then executes (Sec. 24.0061)
Full Texas eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Bell County (Killeen/Temple)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Killeen-Temple, TX HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $983 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $990 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,233 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,711 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,068 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Bell County (Killeen/Temple): $1,224/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure is governed by state law (Tex. Prop. Code ch. 24 and Tex. R. Civ. P. 510). City rules, if any, are on city pages.
Eviction help in Bell County (Killeen/Temple)
Free legal help
- Lone Star Legal Aid — Belton office; toll-free 1-800-733-8394. Linked from Bell County JP 4-2 eviction page.
Other Texas counties
- Eviction in Harris County (Houston)
- Eviction in Dallas County (Dallas)
- Eviction in Tarrant County (Fort Worth)
- Eviction in Bexar County (San Antonio)
- Eviction in Travis County (Austin)
- Eviction in Collin County (Plano/McKinney)
- Eviction in Denton County (Denton)
- Eviction in El Paso County (El Paso)
- Eviction in Hidalgo County (McAllen/Edinburg)
- Eviction in Williamson County (Round Rock/Georgetown)
- Eviction in Montgomery County (Conroe/The Woodlands)
- Eviction in Fort Bend County (Sugar Land/Richmond)
- Eviction in Lubbock County (Lubbock)
- Eviction in Nueces County (Corpus Christi)
- Eviction in Brazos County (Bryan/College Station)
- Eviction in Cameron County (Brownsville/Harlingen)
- Eviction in Galveston County (League City/Galveston)
- Eviction in McLennan County (Waco)
- Eviction in Hays County (San Marcos/Kyle)
- Eviction in Jefferson County (Beaumont/Port Arthur)
- Eviction in Brazoria County (Pearland/Angleton)
- Eviction in Webb County (Laredo)
Related
- Texas landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Texas
- Texas eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Texas (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Bell County (Killeen/Temple)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Bell County (Killeen/Temple)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Bell County (Killeen/Temple)?
What is the fair market rent in Bell County (Killeen/Temple)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.